communication which is designed to influence its audience; the information is often misleading

a type of war fought on land; deep ditches are dug and occupied by each warring side

a British soldier and poet (1893-1918) best known for his poems about World War One

when something is used to represent something else; trench warfare has come to symbolise World War One

the area of land between enemy trenches; a dangerous place where soldiers were often killed

World War One: propaganda and trench warfare

English

Understanding why people write about war

Reading 'Propping Up the Line', a short story about World War One by Ian Beck

Analysing the presentation of the gas attack: Ian Beck's 'Propping Up the Line'

Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’: Alice’s experiences on the Home Front

The presentation of trauma in Ian Beck's short story, 'Propping Up the Line'

Symbolism and motif in Ian Beck's short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’

Vivid descriptive writing using Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ as stimulus

Using sentence structure to create rhythm in writing about World War One

Reading Katherine Mansfield’s short story, ‘The Fly’ (1922)

Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly' (1922): exploring character foils and symbolism

Exploring the presentation of the boss in 'The Fly' by Katherine Mansfield

Debating different interpretations of Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’

Creative writing in the third person inspired by Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly'

Skim reading and close reading: Wilfred Owen’s 1917 letter to his mother

Letter writing: planning, using Wilfred Owen’s 1917 letter as stimulus

Writing a letter as a soldier in the trenches of World War One

Improving the style of a letter: sentence structure and rhythm

Skim reading and close reading: 'Testament of Youth' by Vera Brittain

Letter writing: planning, using Vera Brittain’s ‘Testament of Youth’ as stimulus

Writing a letter from the British home front: tone, audience and purpose

Improving a letter: deliberate verbs and precise adjectives

Comparing texts about World War One using comparative topic sentences

Comparing texts about World War One in comparative analytical paragraphs

In 'A World at War: Short Stories', pupils explore the reasons for writing war literature and how it seeks to convey the suffering of soldiers and civilians, in times of conflict. In 'Power and Conflict Poetry', students explore the many types of conflict that arise through war, with themes including patriotism, propaganda, fear, guilt and duty.

In 'The Tempest', pupils are encouraged to write from the viewpoint of Caliban and Ariel, adopting character voices in creative writing. In 'A World at War', pupils emulate the writing styles of the authors that they encounter, to create an authentic voice in their writing. 

In this unit, pupils explore and compare texts written about the First World War. They first read Beck's 'Propping up the line', Mansfield's 'The Fly' and Wilfred Owen's 1917 letter home to his mum. They finally read Brittain's 'Testament of Youth', and then plan and write a comparative response.

Literary perspectives from the First World War

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Much of World War One was fought in {{}}, deep ditches dug in the ground and occupied by opposing armies.

The British government warned soldiers about them via propaganda.

They were horrific, but soldiers only spent one or two days there at a time.

The mud is often considered as harrowing as the enemy fire.

What is true of many of the trenches of World War One?

{{}} is the term used for communication which is designed to influence its audience; this information can often be misleading.

to ensure people were accurately informed about the nature of war

to encourage people to sign up to fight in the war

o portray war as exciting and full of glory

to ensure people knew what soldiers were experiencing in the trenches

During World War One, the British government used propaganda. What did it hope to achieve through its use of propaganda?

Jessie Pope wrote a poem in 1915 to encourage people to sign up to the British Armed Forces. The poem is designed to make war seem exciting by comparing war to a "..."

Wilfred Owen wrote a poem called 'Exposure' detailing the realities of the trenches, particularly the agony of waiting for an attack. He repeats the line, "But {{}} happens." 

In the opening of Ian Beck's short story, 'Propping Up The Line', how does Beck describe the trench in France, which is where much of the short story is set?

The first line of Ian Beck's short story, 'Propping Up The Line', sees Beck describe the main character, Alfred "sat cold and drowsily slumped against the {{}} wall".

Beck's grandparents' experiences of life in Britain during the war.

The glory and excitement of World War One, especially in the trenches.

Beck's grandfather's experience of war, particularly being gassed.

 What is the focus of Ian Beck's short story, 'Propping Up The Line'?

Owen is a famous historian who writes about World War One.

Owen wrote a lot of poetry about World War One which we still read today.

Owen was a celebrated general in World War One, and wrote about his experiences.

Owen helped the government in generating support for World War One.

Owen was Prime Minister during World War One and led Britain through the war.

When looking at literature about World War One, why might we often come across the name Wilfred Owen?

When looking at the literature of World War One, we might often come across the poetry of Wilfred Owen. Owen stated that he wrote to "{{}}" people about the horrors of war

Starter Quiz

In the opening of Ian Beck's short story, 'Propping Up The Line', how does Beck describe the trench in France, which is where much of the short story is set?